Michael Jackson's death left his family with questions about his fortune and what would happen to his music empire. The singer was just 50, and despite decades of success, he was reportedly struggling with serious debt. His 2002 will made his wishes clear. Jackson wanted his mother, Katherine, and his 3 kids to benefit from his estate. His father and siblings, however, were not included. In the years since his death, the estate has also grown into a major source of income through music releases, films and entertainment projects. The information is taken from a report by Fox News.

What Did Michael Jackson's Will Say About His Family

Jackson's will placed his mother and children at the centre of his estate plans. Katherine Jackson was named as the primary caretaker of Prince, Paris and Blanket, while the estate was responsible for supporting all four. The support went beyond regular payments. The estate took care of the children's education, holidays and living expenses, including their home in the celebrity neighbourhood of Calabasas, California.

Twenty million dollars had been spent on Katherine and the children by the end of 2012. Jackson's father and siblings, meanwhile, were left out of the inheritance arrangements.

How Did His Music Continue to Make Money

Jackson's death brought a wave of interest in his songs. New album deals and a film featuring rehearsals for his planned This Is It comeback concerts helped generate revenue. His posthumous album Xscape reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 after its release. His music also became the basis for a touring Cirque du Soleil production, which had performed five hundred shows. These projects helped turn the estate into a money-maker. By the end of 2013 it had recorded more than six hundred million dollars in gross earnings.

Who Took Control of Michael Jackson's Estate

Jackson chose attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain to manage his estate after his death. Branca had worked with the singer during his most successful years and became the estate's most visible representative. He attended premieres and events linked to Jackson's music. McClain, a close family friend, preferred to stay out of the spotlight and had faced health problems. Both men were paid for their work through a percentage of the estate's earnings.

How Did Life Change for Jackson's Children?

Jackson had made a point of keeping Prince, Paris and Blanket away from public attention during his lifetime. That changed after his death, when the three began appearing at memorials and award ceremonies. At the time of the report, Prince was approaching the end of high school and remained interested in filmmaking. Blanket enjoyed swimming and practised karate, according to their cousin TJ Jackson. Paris had largely withdrawn from public appearances after being hospitalised the previous year. TJ Jackson said she was doing fine.

Where Did Most of the Estate's Money Go

Despite the financial support provided to Jackson's family, the largest expenses were not payments to his heirs. Between June 2009 and January 2013, the estate spent $91 million on taxes and business licences. Compensation for the executors exceeded $25 million, with much of it paid during the first year, when major deals involving the album releases and This Is It film were completed.

Lawyers representing the estate and Jackson's heirs also received nearly $17.7 million between mid-2009 and the end of 2012. Jackson's will had set out who he wanted to provide for. His mother and children were included, while his father and siblings were not. Meanwhile, the estate's earnings continued to grow through the singer's lasting popularity.